(FUN) FACT: When the watch industry slows down in summer
In the Swiss watch industry, there is a summer tradition that seems almost out of step with the times: the “Vacances horlogères,” the traditional watchmakers’ vacation. While flexible work models, shift systems, and global availability are commonplace, this unique form of summer break has persisted in the Swiss watch industry to this day.
Of course, the industry doesn’t come to a standstill then. But the idea remains remarkable: In some parts of the watch industry, workshops and suppliers traditionally close at the same time for several weeks. What seems like a charming quirk today is, in reality, a piece of Swiss industrial and social history.
Working from Home and the Winter Months
Its roots go back a long way. In the highlands of the Jura, agriculture has long been seasonal in nature. While summer was focused on fields, livestock, and alpine farming, the long winters provided time for indoor activities. That is precisely where watchmaking found its place. At first, it served as a complement to farming and as a source of additional income during months when work in the fields was limited. The work was often done at home, with tasks divided among specialists.
With industrialization, these evolved into more highly organized workshops and factories. However, the division of labor remained in place. Movements, cases, dials, hands, springs, bracelets, finishing, and assembly all had to come together. If a key supplier halted production, operations elsewhere could quickly grind to a halt. This is precisely why shared vacations later became not only socially natural but also organizationally sensible.
1937: The Social Starting Point
The actual historical origin of watchmakers’ vacation dates back to 1937. That was when one of the country’s first collective bargaining agreements was signed in the Swiss watch industry. Among other things, it established paid vacation time. Initially, it was one week; later, the vacation period was extended.
Why Taking Vacations Together Was Practical
In practice, the coordinated shutdown had several advantages. When many businesses along the value chain pause operations at the same time, production interruptions can be better coordinated. At the same time, machines, tools, and workshops can be maintained, cleaned, and repaired without disrupting ongoing operations—which is essential for a precision-based industry.
When the Jura Became Quieter
In the Jura region, this tradition long gave rise to a distinctive summer scene. Places like La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle, Biel, Saint-Imier, and the Vallée de Joux seemed noticeably quieter during the watchmakers’ vacation. In places where the watchmaking industry usually sets the pace, public life suddenly slowed down as well. Some restaurants, shops, and service providers used this time to take their own vacations.
Of course, it’s not as noticeable today. The industry has become more international, more digital, and more closely aligned with global trends. Major brands operate with differentiated structures, service units, and international markets. Nevertheless, the “vacances horlogères” have not lost their significance. They serve as a reminder of how deeply rooted watchmaking is in culture and history.
A Break for New Personal Bests
Perhaps that is precisely what makes this tradition so appealing. An industry that thrives on precision, timekeeping, and the utmost reliability allows itself a break. Master watchmakers, designers, finishers, regulators, and assemblers need moments of respite—not in spite of, but because of their high standards. And the workshops, too, need this break: to service machines, maintain tools, and prepare spaces from which new pinnacles of performance can emerge.
